20th Century Renaissance Albarello Pharmacy Vase in Majolica Ceramic from Deruta, Italy, 1950s

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Description

Measurements:
height: 26.5 cm; diameter: 14 cm; weight: 1.153 kg

exquisite handcrafted majolica albarello vase inspired by antique renaissance apothecary … Read more Measurements:
height: 26.5 cm; diameter: 14 cm; weight: 1.153 kg

exquisite handcrafted majolica albarello vase inspired by antique renaissance apothecary dishes. The piece was entirely handcrafted on a lathe and subsequently fired for the first time, before being applied with a white glaze and meticulously painted by hand using the classic underglaze majolica technique. The vase's shape is distinguished by a body slightly tapered in the center and a visually striking double-sided decoration. The front features a magnificent male portrait in profile set within a cobalt blue background; the figure wears a typical two-tone renaissance mazzocchio and robes adorned with a green and yellow scale motif, evoking the "amatore" style of the 16th century. At the bottom, a flowing cartouche features an inscription within a parchment scroll, in elegant black gothic script, reading "electuario de regiemis," a fascinating reference to medieval medicinal preparations and wellness treatises such as the regimen sanitatis. The rest of the vase displays a distinct and intentional stylistic variation, offering the observer a symmetrical geometric and floral decoration in blue and white on a light background, designed to showcase the versatility of traditional graphic repertoires. The most valuable elements to be appreciated lie in the brilliance of the color palette, dominated by saffron yellow, copper green, and deep blue, as well as the precision of the graphic linework. The production period can be dated to the second half of the twentieth century, specifically between the 1950s and 1970s, and the place of manufacture is the renowned deruta district in umbria. The bottom of the vase features a black mark with the four-line inscription "deruta / dipinto / a / mano." we attribute the vase to one of the historic artisan workshops in the deruta ceramics district, rather than to a single elite master ceramist. The reasons for this attribution lie precisely in the nature of the mark on the bottom: the absence of an autographed monogram and the use of a standardized inscription indicate that the vase is the product of the excellent craftsmanship of a deruta workshop specializing in high-quality artistic craftsmanship, committed to preserving intact the techniques and decorations of the umbrian golden age.

information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
the deruta ceramics district is one of the most famous and ancient centers of artistic majolica production in europe, with a documented history dating back to the middle ages and reaching its artistic peak during the renaissance. Historical information reminds us that in the 16th century, deruta's workshops revolutionized ceramic art by introducing the technique of metallic luster with gold and ruby ​​highlights, becoming official suppliers to the most important noble courts and the papal apothecaries. After a decline in the following centuries, the 20th century marked an extraordinary artistic renaissance for the umbrian town, thanks to the rediscovery of historical models led by large consortia and historic families of master ceramists who successfully exhibited at major decorative arts exhibitions in italy and abroad, cementing deruta's reputation in museums worldwide. This extraordinary cultural heritage lives on in the attention to detail and purity of pigments that characterize the albarello vase on offer, making it an ideal piece for those wishing to delve deeper into and possess a fragment of the great italian ceramic tradition. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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